About 15% of new homes built have a crawl space. If your home is one that has a crawl space built into it, it’s probably not an area that you visit very often and it is often thought of as dirty and creepy. However, it doesn’t have to be that way and that’s where crawl space encapsulation comes in!
Encapsulation of crawl spaces can help you get rid of moisture, insects, mildew, and mold from beneath your house. Continue reading to learn more about how it works and why you should have one.
What is Crawl Space Encapsulation?
If you’re wondering what does crawl space encapsulation mean, you’re not alone. Crawl space encapsulation is the process of sealing off your crawl space with a vapor barrier in order to create a clean, dry environment.
This will help to prevent any moisture, pests, or mold from entering into your crawl space and ruining the foundation of your home.
When you encapsulate the crawl space completely, it is most efficient. You may then utilize a dehumidifier to help control moisture levels in the zone once it has been encapsulated.
Which prevents the mold, pests, and everything else that is normally associated with a crawl space.
Crawl Space Encapsulation Benefits
What does a crawl space help with? What benefits come with crawl space encapsulation? Well, there are actually quite a few benefits that homeowners can take advantage of!
Perhaps the most important benefit is that it will help to extend the life of your home’s foundation by preventing water damage. Water damage is one of the leading causes of foundation problems and can be very costly to repair. In addition to that, wood that is exposed to moisture content over 20% can quickly develop mold.
With water, moisture, and mold growing in your crawl space, it’s only a matter of time before it starts to spread and affect the rest of your home. Resulting in costly repairs and renovations.
In addition to preventing water damage, crawl space encapsulation will also:
Keep out insects: Insects are attracted to crawl spaces because they are dark and humid. They like to nest and lay eggs, especially during the colder months. By encapsulating your crawl space, you can keep them out and prevent them from damaging your home.
Eliminate musty odors: Musty odors are often caused by mold and mildew growth in crawl spaces. Encapsulating the crawl space will eliminate these odors by preventing mold and mildew from growing in the first place.
Help regulate humidity levels: High humidity levels can cause a number of problems in your home, such as peeling paint, warped floors, and condensation on windows. By encapsulating your crawl space, you can help to regulate the humidity levels in your home and prevent these problems.
Improve energy efficiency: When crawl spaces are not properly sealed, they can allow outside air to enter your home. This can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder and use more energy. Encapsulating your crawl space will help to prevent this from happening and improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Reduce utility bills: As we just mentioned, crawl space encapsulation can help to improve the energy efficiency of your home. This means that you’ll be able to reduce your utility bills by sealing off the crawl space.
Here at Thomas Service Company in Huntsville, AL, we always recommend homes to encapsulate their crawl space because the benefits are overwhelming compared to the alternative!
What Does Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost?
The cost of crawl space encapsulation will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of your crawl space, the materials you use, and whether or not you hire a professional to do it for you.
Crawl space encapsulation costs usually start out around $7000 for homes, however, this can vary depending on a number of factors such as:
- The size of your crawl space
- The condition of the crawl space
- The materials you use for it
- The HVAC contractor you hire
You can always call up your local HVAC company to get an estimate on the costs. If you are looking for a crawl space encapsulation in Huntsville, AL, or the surrounding area, you can give us a call to receive a quote!
Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl space encapsulation is a process by which you seal off your crawl space in order to protect it from the elements and pests. There are a number of benefits to crawl space encapsulation, such as preventing water damage, mold growth, and insect infestation.
In addition to these benefits, crawl space encapsulation can also help to regulate humidity levels, improve energy efficiency, and reduce utility bills.
If you’re looking for crawl space encapsulation in Huntsville or the surrounding area, Thomas Service Company can provide you with a quote. Give us a call today!